QR codes and security numbers to secure Telangana SSC questions from leakage

The initiative will enable authorities to easily trace the source of any leaked papers as the both QR code and security numbers are printed on every page of the question paper

Hyderabad: In a move to combat question paper leakage, the School Education department has rolled out new security measures for the SSC Public Examinations beginning March 21.\

Starting this year, the Class X exams question papers will feature QR (Quick Response) codes and unique security numbers, an initiative designed to enhance security besides curbing question papers leakage.

---

Each page of the question paper will come printed with a QR code and unique security number as a watermark. The initiative will enable authorities to easily trace the source of any leaked papers.

According to officials, if a question paper is photographed, recorded or photocopied and shared on social media or WhatsApp, the origin, including the centre, of the leak can be easily determined.

“The security features will enable us to track question paper leak, if any. The initiative is on the lines of the TG BIE, which introduced QR codes and unique numbers on inter question papers,” Director of Government Examinations, A Krishna Rao told ‘Telangana Today’.

In 2023, two back to back incidents of Class X exams question paper leakage triggered a massive uproar, forcing officials to suspend invigilators and centre superintendents.

In the first case, within a few minutes of the commencement of the first Class X exam, an invigilator at an exam centre in Tandur allegedly photographed the first language question paper (Telugu) and circulated it in WhatsApp. Following day, the second language Hindi question paper was leaked on WhatsApp.

Apart from security measures in question papers, the department has installed CCTV surveillance cameras in all the centres, particularly in the centre chief superintendent (CS) room. The CSs have been instructed to open the question paper bundles sealing not before 9.15 am while the examination commences at 9.30 am.